• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

MSc Project

Module description

You will undertake an independent research or consultancy project based upon a topic of your choice. The report will consist of 10,000 words and contain relevant analytical tables and figures. The project will allow you to demonstrate the skills you have learned during the programme. These skills include, e.g., the following: project management, operations management or supply chain analytics, project planning, visual representation, and writing. Each student will be supported throughout the project by an advisor or supervisor.

The supervised project represents the culmination of all PG programmes of the Operations and Analytics department, where you either develop a theme as provided by an academic member of staff, or you can decide on a topic yourself. This provides you with the opportunity to apply concepts or challenges from real-world settings. Primary research collection during this period (e.g., service/production data, interviews), is encouraged, including contact with organisations who may require specific assistance.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module enables you to tackle real-world business and management challenges by selecting the most effective methods and analysing the results or outcomes. The types of methods available for you to choose from will range from statistical analysis to semi-structured interviews and case study analysis. Whilst methods such as analytics and statistical analysis will have been covered in-depth in terms 1 and 2, the taught sessions at the beginning of this module will cover the importance of framing research problems using literature reviews, use of research questions & conceptual frameworks, as well as hypotheses and propositions.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically discuss knowledge and understanding of key business processes and structures, as well as the role of Operations & Analytics in providing decision support for management.
• 2. Critically analyse and interpret data, academic literature, and industry practices to inform effective decision-making, and develop Operations & Analytics solutions and its application in business settings.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Work collaboratively with stakeholders from a range of backgrounds to identify the need for, design, develop and implement Operations & Analytics strategies, ensuring alignment with business environment.
• 4. Communicate effectively through presentations and written reports, presenting methodologies and findings in a way that is appropriate to the intended audience.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Apply critical thinking and an ethical ethos to address global and local challenges, considering social, financial, and environmental sustainability in decision-making.

Syllabus plan

The Project requires a considerable degree of proactive study and initiative on the part of the student and is therefore unlike traditional taught modules. You will attend briefing sessions and preparatory workshops and lectures that will cover the following content, before embarking upon your project independently:

• Preparing a management relevant proposal for your project.
• Identifying relevant data and developing appropriate research questions or hypotheses.
• Devising a literature review.
• Successful planning and project management.
• Working with project stakeholders, and your supervisor.
• Constructing a professional business report or dissertation.

You will need to maintain contact with your supervisor and any collaborators throughout the time that you are working on your project.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for the assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment.

The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Important reading resources:

• Saunders, M.N.K, Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2023). Research methods for Business Students (9^th edition). Pearson.
• Karlsson, C. (2023). Research Methods for Operations and Supply Chain Management (3^rd edition). Routledge.
• Pasian, B., and Turner, R. (2024). Design Methods and Practices for Research of Project Management (2^nd edition). Routledge.

You also may find that resources focussed on consultancy, data science in a business setting, project management, and operations analysis tools and techniques are helpful throughout the development of your project. Those are available in online format from the University Library.

In addition, you will draw upon a wide range of additional resources specific to your individual project.  Further examples of relevant resources will be available via the module ELE pages.